Junior Witter

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 26 Dec 2007, 15:35

Come on then you fans of mountains of boxing knowledge!!

How do you rate Junior Witter in the current crop of Light Welters?

If you could choose a fighter right now - would it be Witter or Hatton - don't go into reams of big words and b*llocks just simply write - Witter or Hatton.

If you had to write a very short piece what would it be concerning Junior Witter - your thoughts on his career thus far - your thoughts on his opponents for the future - name the next 2

Now I am certainly not knocking Junior Witter - I think his matchmaking in his last couple of fights has been very very good indeed - almost bloody brilliant - Witter is a bloody good boxer - very good indeed - however personally I think as good as the Vivian Harris victory was to the eye - when you look in depth - how good was Vivian Harris - was his style made for Witter? - remember folks that commonly used phrase "Styles make fights or fighters"

Above are a couple of questions to get your teeth into - at a time we write loads about Hatton and Calzaghe - does Witter deserve more recognition or are people going way over the top?

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 26 Dec 2007, 15:45

http://www.boxingtribune.com/index.php? ... le&id=1793

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 26 Dec 2007, 15:46

witter fought on the undercard of a high profile fight (against Ndou on the hopkins/eastman bill) and ironically it may have been worse for him to get home advantage for the ensuing WBC title fight against Corley. Fighting Corely over there would have made little difference in the result IMO but would have allowed Witter to get impotus stateside and would have given him more chance of setting up a unification with malignaggi.

As it stands, hmself, malignaggi and hatton when he moves down, hell even ricardo torres all have legit arguments because noone has proved anything against each other.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 26 Dec 2007, 16:13

I rate Witter as no1 and I think Ricky Hatton come forward lack of defense style is tailor made for Witter's counter punching if were talking styles make fights. Torres has poor skill and already has a gift stoppage saving his title and Malignaggi is very good but too light punching to beat the very best

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 26 Dec 2007, 16:17

I think Witter should be #1 at 140, if only he could prove it vs Hatton.

He took Harris' right hand flush in the early going, went on to dominate and knock him senseless. His other wins aren't as emphatic but he has beaten a decent # of top 10 level opposition (N'dou, Kotelnik, Corley arguably, Harris) and I hope he gets to cash in/prove himself vs the #1 at the weight.

Think Hatton is made for Witter, after seeing the Collazo and Magee bouts. And methinks Ricky is heart broken after losing such a big assignment, after all the training and publicity, that he won't be the same post Mayweather.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 26 Dec 2007, 16:22

i thought that Witter was impressive against Harris, but how much longer can he wait around for a big fight? He's 33 and everyone is moving ahead of him in the pecking order. Of course i'd love to see the Hatton fight . Maybe that will happen in the summer, but only 2 fights for Witter last year and no tv in America isn't going to help his case.

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 26 Dec 2007, 16:56

Witter (or more accurately Mick Hennessey) should try his best efforts at getting a fight with Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi is a big fans favourite on the east coast and his loss to Cotto got him the influential and lucrative backing of HBO.

The yanks rate Malignaggi and is one of the few fights out there for Hatton. Witter needs to reduce Hatton's options and to do so Witter needs to being taking on potential Ricky Hatton opponents (and beating them) in order to make a fight between himself and Hatton unavoidable.

If Witter were to fight and beat Malignaggi that would give him 2/3 of the world title's at light welter...and with Hatton's future lying squarely at 140 lbs Witter would (on paper at least) be the only real viable opponent for Hatton at 140 lbs.

In effect Hatton wouldn’t be able to avoid Witter, and if he did and decided to take the easier option in Gavin Rees - should Hatton be successful that would make a unification match with Witter impossible to ignore.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 26 Dec 2007, 17:17

liamlion wrote:Witter (or more accurately Mick Hennessey) should try his best efforts at getting a fight with Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi is a big fans favourite on the east coast and his loss to Cotto got him the influential and lucrative backing of HBO.

The yanks rate Malignaggi and is one of the few fights out there for Hatton. Witter needs to reduce Hatton's options and to do so Witter needs to being taking on potential Ricky Hatton opponents (and beating them) in order to make a fight between himself and Hatton unavoidable.

If Witter were to fight and beat Malignaggi that would give him 2/3 of the world title's at light welter...and with Hatton's future lying squarely at 140 lbs Witter would (on paper at least) be the only real viable opponent for Hatton at 140 lbs.

In effect Hatton wouldn’t be able to avoid Witter, and if he did and decided to take the easier option in Gavin Rees - should Hatton be successful that would make a unification match with Witter impossible to ignore.

It's down to timings, but I think it will be a three for all between Witter, Hatton and Malinaggi as Paulie will not be free to fight again until the summer, and as Hatton is only fighting twice this year I would assume that would be late spring/summer time.

Not sure if Hennessey would want Witter waiting until then, or sneak a mandatory in beforehand.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 26 Dec 2007, 17:24

I agree with whoever says it should be Malanaggi - either Hatton or Witter should fight him next - by beating him - f*ck me some good kudos by doing so - if it is Witter - DOUBLE World Title holder - that makes the prospect of facing him even more enticing.

Over to Mr Hennessy - or will Meaty Mick be wanting that fight in the UK a little too much?? - I say f*ck it - get it on in New York - no better victory for enticing Hatton into a fight.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 26 Dec 2007, 17:30

Spud wrote:I agree with whoever says it should be Malanaggi - either Hatton or Witter should fight him next - by beating him - f*ck me some good kudos by doing so - if it is Witter - DOUBLE World Title holder - that makes the prospect of facing him even more enticing.

Over to Mr Hennessy - or will Meaty Mick be wanting that fight in the UK a little too much?? - I say f*ck it - get it on in New York - no better victory for enticing Hatton into a fight.

...and it would make Ross Greenbergh interested again, which will be important if Hatton and Witter ever fight.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 26 Dec 2007, 17:50

i think the fact that Malanaggi is being mentioned as the biggest name for Witter or Hatton at light welter shows that most of the talent has left the division. Here would be my plan for Witter, as he has a supposed contract with goldenboy , Witter should do a fight with D. Hopkins , it should be easy to make, and would get exposure in the US. Also a good performance would put him in with either Malanaggi or Hatton.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 27 Dec 2007, 09:04

Witter needs to fight more often, is Henessey losing money on Witter shows? If not hes doing a bad job because he has the potential no1 at 140 who will never get a big fight because he never fights. If Witter fought any 3 from Torres, Malignaggi, DHOPs, David Diaz, Juan diaz, Castillo, Rees his profile would sky rocket.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 27 Dec 2007, 09:18

Spud wrote:I agree with whoever says it should be Malanaggi - either Hatton or Witter should fight him next - by beating him - f*ck me some good kudos by doing so - if it is Witter - DOUBLE World Title holder - that makes the prospect of facing him even more enticing.

Over to Mr Hennessy - or will Meaty Mick be wanting that fight in the UK a little too much?? - I say f*ck it - get it on in New York - no better victory for enticing Hatton into a fight.

it make sense but Witter-Malignaggi could be an aesthetic disaster that would make the Yanks hate Witter even more than they do now.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 27 Dec 2007, 09:42

The last person it should be is Malignaggi.

Firstly because I think Witter loses that fight quite easily - He's piss poor against people that can box, and if the likes of Lynes and Kotelnik can be competitive against him then Malignaggi would easily out box him in my opinion.

However, who else is there... It's a risky fight for Witter, and not just from the perspective of being a bore fest.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 27 Dec 2007, 09:45

Problem with the Light-Welters is there isn't many big names left, Castillo is now looking shopworn so a win over him wouldn't be as big news as 2 years ago, Ricardo Torres isn't well known enough. Then you've got boxers such as Urango, Ngoudjo, Hopkins and Olusegun who are good, but Witter wouldn't earn much out of those fights for the risk.

I really think he's got to get back in the press and make a stand to fight Hatton, its the only serious money fight out there.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 27 Dec 2007, 12:36

I think witter is the best fighter in the LWW devision but Hatton is probably the #1 if that makes sence to you all. I think he would beat Hatton but I think he needs to fight Torres or Rees/Klotnik to prove that he should be the one to take that fight.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 27 Dec 2007, 17:12

I still think Hernan Ngoudjo is a decent fighter. Problem is that lad has to knock people out in America to get a draw.

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 27 Dec 2007, 17:13

Witter

eastmountpicko · Post by **eastmountpicko** » 28 Dec 2007, 18:53

Anyone know who Witter's next mandatory is?

states · Post by **states** » 28 Dec 2007, 19:07

eastmountpicko wrote:Anyone know who Witter's next mandatory is?

Last I heard, it was the winner of a mooted elimination fight between Castillo and Timothy 'Desert Storm' Bradley. Can't see that fight happening though.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 29 Dec 2007, 04:59

eastmountpicko wrote:Anyone know who Witter's next mandatory is?

Never mind his next mandatory, when is any kind of fight going to happen, he really has been poorly promoted lately, its not as if he's out of shape as he always stays in decent condition.
He's got to get a fight in by March at the latest IMO or its going to be another year of just 2 fights, thats not good enough for someone of Witters class and age.

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 29 Dec 2007, 08:34

Old bones Ian wrote:
eastmountpicko wrote:Anyone know who Witter's next mandatory is?
Never mind his next mandatory, when is any kind of fight going to happen, he really has been poorly promoted lately, its not as if he's out of shape as he always stays in decent condition.
He's got to get a fight in by March at the latest IMO or its going to be another year of just 2 fights, thats not good enough for someone of Witters class and age.

I agree.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 29 Dec 2007, 11:29

Spud wrote:Come on then you fans of mountains of boxing knowledge!!

How do you rate Junior Witter in the current crop of Light Welters?

If you could choose a fighter right now - would it be Witter or Hatton - don't go into reams of big words and b*llocks just simply write - Witter or Hatton.

If you had to write a very short piece what would it be concerning Junior Witter - your thoughts on his career thus far - your thoughts on his opponents for the future - name the next 2

Now I am certainly not knocking Junior Witter - I think his matchmaking in his last couple of fights has been very very good indeed - almost bloody brilliant - Witter is a bloody good boxer - very good indeed - however personally I think as good as the Vivian Harris victory was to the eye - when you look in depth - how good was Vivian Harris - was his style made for Witter? - remember folks that commonly used phrase "Styles make fights or fighters"

Above are a couple of questions to get your teeth into - at a time we write loads about Hatton and Calzaghe - does Witter deserve more recognition or are people going way over the top?

I dont think Harris was made for Witter at all, Harris is very awkward with good speed and power, by no means a 'made for' opponent imo. Someone with Hattons walk in style is made for Junior, he would cut him to peices imo and probably do a more decisive job than Mayweather because he has more one punch power.... the fact that Hatton has not fought Witter and shows no desire to do so either is no accident...

Spud · Post by **Spud** » 29 Dec 2007, 12:06

You have your opinion - but do you feel Harris is a top draw Light Welterweight and thus Witter's performance against him would have the other top draw fighters quaking in their boots??

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 29 Dec 2007, 13:36

Witter is still good, but Witter has been better - I think Hatton would beat him, so for me Hatton is still the best LW - Hatton is also not what he was with so many miles on the clock but even so he would still beat Rees Mallignaggi and Torres - That therefore makes Ricky the number one and Witter number two - I reckon Witter/Rees would be closer than most people would imagine - Ricky needs to prove though he is worthy of the top slot and Witter is the only way to do it.

Junior Witter

Junior Witter

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